Junior Professional Officer Specialist (Agronomy and Soil Fertility) at ICRISAT

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

POST: Junior Professional Officer

 Specialist (Agronomy and Soil Fertility)

 CLOSING DATE:30 April 2012

TITLE: Specialist (Agronomy and Soil Fertility)

 SECTOR OF ASSIGNMENT: Agronomy and Soil Fertility

 COUNTRY: Malawi

 LOCATION (CITY): Lilongwe

 AGENCY: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

 DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to 3 years

 GRADE: P1 step 1 or P2 step 1 in the first year, depending on the level of education and relevant working experience

 Note : this post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to candidates from developing countries – see criteria at the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.minbuza.nl/en/Key_Topics/Development_Cooperation/Associate_Experts_Programme

 II DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTPUT EXPECTATIONS

 GENERAL

 This position would contribute directly in improving the productivity of Groundnut and Pigeonpea and the availability of seed of new varieties.  The current research thrusts are Pigeonpea breeding and agronomy, Groundnut agronomy and conservation agriculture research to determine the contribution of legumes to soil fertility and diversification of household nutrition and incomes especially for women farmers.

 RESPONSIBILITY 1 (40%)

Summary of duties and expected output

•Enhanced knowledge of legume agronomy and soil fertility (40%)

•Identifying important aspects to improving productivity of new varieties (30%)

•Understanding the soil dynamics of the contribution of legumes under Conservation Agriculture (20%)

•Draw-up an action plan for the areas of research identified (10%)

 2. RESPONSIBILITY 2 (30%)

Summary of duties and expected output (max 5 bullet points)

•Develop protocols and carry out experiments to validate the research questions (50%)

•Collect and analyze data from on-station and on-farm trials (20%)

•Write project reports and present at relevant workshops (20%)

•Investigate other management options based on lessons learnt in Year 2 (10%)

 3. RESPONSIBILITY 3 (30%) 

Summary of duties and expected output

•Identify technologies that may be made available to farmers to increase legume productivity (60%)

•Scaling-up of the technologies using GIS and Simulation modeling for Recommendation Domains in Malawi (20%)

•Recommend future plans for research on legume agronomy and soil fertility evaluation (10%)

•Summarize the results, write reports and participate in dissemination of information regarding the new technologies (10%)

 III LEARNING ELEMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

 The JPO learning programme includes the following elements:

During the years of service the specialist will learn and develop practical knowledge of working with smallholder farmers and the major issues involved in the production of legumes. The information generated from this work will contribute to the various national strategies for improving household nutrition and increasing household incomes of poor farmers especially women. The Specialist will gain experience in working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team including NARS Scientists and other Stakeholders.

Upon completion of the assignment the JPO will have/ will be able to

•Field experimentation and crop management

•Soil analysis and interpretation of soil data and database development 

•Data analysis and reporting of the results

•Research planning and integration of research results from available databases

•Development of project proposals for funding

 IV SUPERVISION

 TITLE OF SUPERVISOR: Principal Scientist and Country Representative

 CONTENT AND METHODOLOGY OF SUPERVISION

Immediate supervisor and the Director, East and Southern Africa will supervise the Specialist.  Evaluation will take place each year. The candidate will be asked to fill a standard performance evaluation form of ICRISAT. The supervisor will discuss with the candidate about the activities, achievements and constraints in carrying out the agreed activities. The specialist will participate in all planning meetings of the research team, seminars, scientific workshops and symposia. He/she will be requested to prepare and give seminars on topics of his/her own work as well as integrating other researcher’s results/information on technology. In addition, the incumbent will participate in stakeholders meetings, integrating issues related to technology transfer into the research strategy.

 V REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 EDUCATION:

Master degree in Agronomy/Soils or BSc in Agriculture with at least 4 years relevant working experience in Agronomy and Soil Fertility.

 WORKING EXPERIENCE:

Preferably 2 to maximal 4 years relevant working experience, including internships and voluntary work Familiarity with the UN System is preferable.

 LANGUAGES:

Fluency in English is essential and knowledge of French and any other African languages will be an advantage.

 KEY COMPETENCIES

•Extensive knowledge of agronomy of tropical crops and/or soil fertility

•Simulation modelling

•Data management and ability to analyse research results

•Self-motivated and analytical

•Scientific articles and report writing

 VI BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AGENCY/DEPARTMENT/SECTION

 The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. It belongs to the Consortium of Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).  ICRISAT is headquartered in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with two regional hubs one each for East and Central Africa at Nairobi, Kenya and West and Central Africa at Bamako, Mali and four country offices at Niger, Nigeria, Malawi and Zimbabwe in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT staff collaborates closely with NARES, sister IARCs, ARIs, NGOs and private sector organizations.  Please visit our website: WWW.ICRISAT.ORG

 VII INFORMATION ON LIVING CONDITIONS AT DUTY STATION

 Living conditions in Lilongwe, Malawi are good. Housing is comfortable and secure and there is plenty of opportunity for shopping, recreation, sport and dining out. Lake Malawi is about 120 Km east of Lilongwe and offers several water sports.   There are good international air travel connections to Asia and Europe and elsewhere in Africa through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. There are daily flights to Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Telephone, Internet and Email facilities are available both at ICRISAT’s country office and through local suppliers. Medical, dental and primary education facilities are available locally. The location offers a multicultural environment where four other organizations of the CGIAR system are also located.

 VIII HOW TO APPLY

 Applications including curriculum vitae (giving contact address with email Id, date of birth, nationality, marital status – if married with spouse and children details), list of publications, and names and addresses of three referees should be sent to Human Resources, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India, by email to: icrisatjobs@cgiar.org  before 30 April 2012.

Applicants will receive acknowledgement of receipt of their submission. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEAE REFER http://www.icrisat.org/careers/jpo1-agronomy.htm